Fast 49ers column: It all blows up on Mike Nolan

I understand why Mike Nolan has done everything that he’s done as 49ers coach and resident demi-god, and I have agreed with 90% of it.

He’s a big-picture guy, he built this 49ers team in three seasons based on hard principle and tiny detail, and he has done a whole lot of good.

But a lot of it–maybe almost ALL of it–blew up in his face in multiple stages in Sunday’s 23-3 loss to Seattle, and there almost certainly will be hell to pay.

OK, I’d better add Scot McCloughan in here, too, since he’s a tag-team partner with Nolan and they both deservedly have been praised for the last few years as the 49ers emerged from Donahue Desolation.

* Nolan and McCloughan got stuck with the No. 1 overall pick as their first personnel decision, and they had to commit in a huge way to Alex Smith as a result.

Advertisement

Fits and starts since then, but when you take a young/jittery QB No. 1 and pay him all that dough, your franchise’s future is dicated by his success and his health. (And you can’t pay big $$ to WRs.)

Nolan and McCloughan have been so worried about Smith’s mental state that they brought in Trent Dilfer, who isn’t really a back-up QB, he’s an assistant coach/psycologist, and that’s exactly what Dilfer played like once Smith went out with a separated shoulder today.

The 49ers haven’t brought in a young QB to compete with Smith. They haven’t brought a veteran who could realistically compete with Smith. They had Smith, and they wanted a big brother.

If Smith is out for three, four or however many weeks, the 49ers will have a big brother playing QB, not actually a real QB. That’s the choice they made.

* A lot of this was based on Nolan being able to get his team up and prepared for big games–and this is now at least the third straight playoff-imperative home game, dating back to the middle of last year, that Nolan’s team has lost, and lost badly.

Why is this, Mike? “I wish I could explain it,” Nolan said after the game.

This raises some profound questions, such as: Is Nolan doing something wrong in big games–getting his team too tight, perhaps–that leads to such consistent big-game lousiness?

* They didn’t invest in a big-time WR. I’ve gone over the reasons and the moments in previous typings, but basically, they’ve poured their money into the defense (wisely) and the O-Line (which looked wise until today’s demolition.

If you don’t have a play-making WR, and the 49ers don’t, then there’s nobody to create a huge play all by himself on a short easy pass from the QB.

* Nolan and McCloughan also were basically forced into taking Vernon Davis last year (they wanted A.J. Hawk, he went one pick earlier), and Davis still might be a great, great player.

Advertisement

But when you pay that much money to a young tight end, you also have to cut corners at other spots–and if that young TE always gets hurt, you get killed.

* They wanted to make this a physical running team, and Frank Gore gave them that behind a monster OL by the end of last year.

But if that running game bogs down–which has happened in four straight games this year–you’ve got problems. Defenses can load up on Gore… and there’s nobody else on the 49ers who can help.

Well, I actually think there are ways around this (look at other teams who score points without a Gore), but it seems beyond Nolan and new offensive coordinator Jim Hostler at this point.

They went into this assuming they could pick right up from Norv Turner, and add their own stuff, and instead, they’ve lost the Turner rhythm and their own stuff isn’t very good.

Four games is early to say that? Four games is plenty, I’d say.

Gore stood at his locker after the game today and just shook his head for about 15 minutes.

“We’re not together as an offense,” Gore kept repeating. “I don’t think it’s a confidence thing, but we’re just not together. And if we don’t get together, we’re going to be in some trouble.”

I think they’re in trouble right now. That whole locker room knew it was in trouble.

The 49ers have been built carefully and wisely to be good this year, but if some of those assumptions blow up, then almost everything else goes with it.

It’s up to Nolan to come up with some new assumptions. On the fly. Like… right now.

Tim Kawakami

Post navigation

What was the biggest selling point in the Alex Smith vs. Aaron Rodgers debate?

wfan1

For 9ers fans, Alex Smith is the next Mike Dunleavy Jr. Smith is decent talent but not a high draft pick kind of talent.

Nathan

You mean Mike Unleavy, don’t you? That guy has no D!
Niner’s offense was offensive. When does basketball season start?

apilgrim

John York should fire the whole team, including and especially the coaching staff, and field the Cal Bears. The Bears would beat the Rams, Saints, and Falcons for a 5-11 season. Better than the Niners’ sure 2-14.

Peter

Hostler sucks. The line is obviously good, but the coaching is awful. You see it all the time…one coach leaves, team goes to hell…another comes in fixes the problem. Look at the Raiders and their line…certainly is not as bad as last year.

Dan Lozano

Mike Nolan has been given a free pass ever since he showed up at San Francisco. When are people going to realize he is way over his head and it is showing with how the team has been playing for the last three season. I never thought I would say this, but BRING BACK ERICKSON!. At least he has a clue to some degree, Nolan is a half wit who happens to dress nicely in a suit.

Rob Burrell

Great assessment of the 49ers offense woes. Thanks.

Antonio

I think today’s game against seahawks went bad not beacuse the coaching or the offence but the QB. Frank gore was playing good and same with the other recievers. 6 sacks 2 interceptions and 2 fumbles really changes up the game. Dilfer is horrible and if alex hill did not get injured this game. Then i think the score would of been alot closer. I perdict 49ers will make it into the playoffs if davis and smith return soon. If not dilfer will shoot this team in the foot.

Howard

We can’t revisit the Rodgers vs. Smith debate – Rodgers isn’t even playing! For those people who wanted Trent Dilfer in, well, you got your wish. You can’t pin our game today on Smith since he only played 3 snaps. In addition, please remember who won game 1 for us in the final drive of the game. He has the skills and he has the mobility – so please relax and take a deep breath. Let’s hope Smith isn’t injured for too long.

As for the McNolan tandem, you have to remember that we were the worst team in the league 2 years ago. That’s why we earned the right to draft #1. In the years since, we have received national media attention due to our play last year and due to our fantastic off-season. We acquired young talent to build around. We improved our defense and addressed our OL with Staley (again, not Staley’s fault – you can’t blame a single person for today’s loss).

From a coaching standpoint, this is Nolan’s 3rd year. He’s game management has improved each year. He was two for two on challenges last week. Our defense plays tough even though we have no chance to win the game. Offensively, you can reasonably expect some drop off since we lost Norv Turner (an excellent Off-coor), but today, we lost our starting QB.

I’m just trying to keep perspective here. I’m upset about the loss, I wish we won. But our goal is to win the NFC West this year (at least that’s what I think is reasonable even after today’s loss). We can do that 14-2, or we can do that 10-6. We can lose a couple here and there. All and all, our franchise is on the rise. Yes, even after today’s set back.

Stay Faithful. Go 49ers!!

Paul Aguirre

I have been watching these guys for 53 years. When it is bad, I mean realy bad. It is the head coach that needs to be held responsible. This is his team, all of it!
Nice suit, bad coach!

Watch the game. The offensive line completely collapsed. At least 7 penalties, multiple missed assignments, terrible pass blocking, terrible run blocking. When Gore got out into space, he was his vintage self. When he tried to follow his blockers, they let him down.

It begins and ends with the offensive line. If these guys do not start playing better, we’ll be down to a FA QB by the end of the year, and Gore will struggle to average 3.0 a carry.

Bob McKittrick would have tossed his cookies if he’d seen the way the line has played this year.

John B

49er to death

If Nolan thought hostler should be up in the box (and most every OC is there) then why isn’t he up there? Hostler needs to be up there so he can see what is happening and to give them a chance to adjust to their failed game plans…and to get away from conservative nolan in the play calling (and I don’t mean a flea flicker thrown in there, but even a quick pitch or sweep mixed in with the between the tackles running.

The OL can’t have gone to seed so fast, I think they are ill prepared to know what to expect and what to do. THe problem is not just play calling during the game but offensive planning the week before, hostler does not have the experience to do this job for a play off contender.

Nolan should act fast before it is too late, get hostler upstairs, and next year hire someone who can relaly do the job (Turner may be available when the chargers finish 9-7!)

AJ

IF Nolan cannot figure this out, I think he is in trouble down the road. However, I think the next four games will determine the season and will determine is ability to lead this organization on the field on Sunday’s. Bottom line, his leadership over the next four weeks will determine his outcome. Will he raise to the occassion or fail to figure out how to righten his ship? Good thing he has a bye after next week . . .

sl

How can you mention Bob Mckittrick in the same breath as these guys? They looked like extra large keystone cops out there. There were times where they all seem to block 1 guy and let the other 6-7 go kill the qb.
Plez someone tell Nolan that thats not how an OL is suppose to work. It doesnt take 3 years to learn to pass protect ( see Raiders and Cardinals)
You and Warshop/warhop or whatever should look up
blitz (run and pass) in the football dictionary if you dont what it is.

BHF

Geez Tim,

Do you really think a big time WR would have made any difference today? No it wouldn’t. Today was a disaster but how in the world can people wish for a return to the Erikson days. What short term memories we have.
Nolan got to have the guts to bench Allen.

after wathing this game everyone should get off alex smith’s case joe montana would have failed behind this line i believe nolan will turn it around he’ll make moves and dilfner wasn’t prepared to start we had 2 bad games against 2 playoff teams i’m not excusing our performance but we lost manny lawson,vernon,and now alex that was huge.

All you Alex Smith supporters are in denial. No, its not Alex Smith’s fault that the offense is struggling. However, you guys are over-hyping Alex Smith’s skills and potential. I’m not asking for him to be Joe or Steve, but he won’t even be better than Jeff Garcia.

I see Aaron Rodgers and Jason Campbell both having better careers that Smith. I’ll say it again Alex Smith = Mike Dunleavy Jr. Although they played two different sports, I think they will have comparable careers.

ForeverSYOUNG

I’M OUT! SIMPLE AS THAT!

Sorry. I know and accept that statement makes me a fair wheather fan but I just can’t continue killing myself watching this junk of a team play week after week. I’ve been through re-building after rebuilding and sucked it up in the effort to be a ‘Faithfull’ Fan but this is getting rediculous. Here we are and were now back to square one. Were the Arizona Cardinals without the Stadium. Nolan has got to go – there cannot be any debate about this anylonger. Great highschool choach – Terrible game day NFL coach…just doesnt have a clue. Alex S is a better fit for NFL Europe – Too bad that league doesnt exist anymore. The guy simply has no pocket pressent and cannot read defenses (ala Akili Smith with a weaker arm) We have to get into the McNabb or Romo Auction early year. We can’t waint aournd another 3-4 year to develop another young promising QB. While were at it, can we add a new Head Coach to the Xmas shopping list?

Niners are 2-2. 2-1 in the West with everything to play for…..so you all including Kawakami-San can learn to be more FAITHFUL and pipe down a tad.
And give the Hawks some credit also, they played like a team that knows what its like to be in the Super Bowl let alone the playoffs.
Those were some mean blitzes. Holmgren was ready, Nolan’s offense was not.
Lets get em next time and focus on next week, thats why we play the game.

Antonio

we have the defence
We have the running back
Our recievers are good
Our offensive line(if you dont count today)is good
Our coach (despite what you guys say) is good
Alex smith will be good

but where will our other strong points be, when alex smith is good. if we had a great QB on our team someone who could stretch out defences with long passes we would be unstopable.

Cesar

the 49ers are toast, without smith which I like by the way they dont have a clue.I thought the team was going to be better but I guess they really miss poor ol norve turner.

vacmanalan

Four consecutive bad offensive weeks presages a bad year. Predicting five wins for the season seems generous.

The NINERFLOWERS really have it bad right now and its not A. Smith fault. Look at the OL, its just not the same and no one to blame but coaching. Defense is tough as nails, they get tired about 100 3-outs.

I have watched Alex Smith from the that day he threw his first pro pass in reg season and won the game and had the stadium shouting his name a couple years ago. I knew he needed some help in training camp and I had hope for him, but it’s running out. so far this season I have watched him throw bad passes and run straight into the defense(which he’ll one day get hurt doing)instead of trying to go around or sliding. but he is getting better at running for his life because the OL won’t protect him or Dilfer. I saw Trent get himself out of trouble today that I don’t think Alex could have done, and you don’t get sacked that many times by chance. most of those sack’s happened within 3-4 sec. after the snap and that is all OL fault, if we can’t get the OL act together IT WILL NOT MATTER HOW GOOD OUR QB IS because he’ll get hurt in no time. last week we couldn’t even catch a cold, this week our OL was bad. Or defense is good but if we don’t give them a break, they will be more exhausted which will lead to injury’s that we can’t afford. And Nolan, he has had a tough team to put back together. I mean, his first year we had players running around like retards yelling “football, football”. I do agree the offense Cord. needs to be up stairs, other teams do it because it works.

I’m rarely one to take pleasure in others’ troubles,but since I live in CT, an hours drive from Foxboro and my Patriots have the Niners 2008 #1 draft pick,well, things are really looking rosy,especially in light of the spygate penalty.Coach Belichick traded a 2007 #28 for something much higher a year later.Is patience not a virtue?THIS is typical Belichick,not the sensationalism. Moves like this is how he beats parity. He has a thousand moves that seem so simple.It’s unbelievable there are coaches that will waste a high 1st rounder on an OLman,even BB disciples Crennel and Manfink(did they learn nothing?)BB never has & never will waste all that cap $$ like that.That kind of money goes to players like Adalius Thomas,not Joe Thomas(or Joe Staley-Nolan could have had Tony Ugoh and kept his #1 pick.)This is not brain surgery,just simple yankee ingenuity.Some folks refer to it as common sense.

Raven

Now which’s the better team? Niners or Raiders?

fumblin’ frank

Wfan1 is right. Alex Smith is the NFL version of Mike Dunleavy Jr. – a fairly decent college player who was a product of his college system. Oh, also a decent/or good “character” guy.
Maybe Nolan should stop worrying about his Sunday wardrobe, and start worrying about his inept offense. Look across the bay and see what a decent offensive coordinator (Greg Knapp) combined with a strong armed (and mobile) QB can do…

MikeM

I told you so.

49ers = Filler.

And I own a LOT of 49ers sweatshirts.

Oh well, at least we still have the Warriors.

Leftshot

The most glaring weaknesses I see are:

Offensive Coordinator – The play calling is not only unimaginative, but downright stupid. When the other team stacks 9 in the box game in and game out, you’ve got to at least TRY to do things that force them out of that. There are multiple ways to do this, but the play calling hasn’t reflected trying any of them.

Offensive Line Mistakes – Both penalties and missed assignments are killing them. When you look at it closer, it does not seem to be physical. It looks to be primarily preparation (or lack there of). Seems like every time the opponent’s defense makes a big play, some slip up on the offensive line is involved. (Okay not every time. I did say “it seems like”.) A missed assignment, or a holding penalty calling back one of many big plays.

Not that Alex Smith has been a world beater, but can you imagine how much better the offensive stats would look if even half the big plays that have been called back because of penalties, weren’t?

Leftshot

Good post 49er to death, but do you really think the Chargers will finish 9-7?

Bell Paul

the niners were exposed today – it was pretty clear that it was pure damn luck that they won 2 games with ZERO offense! Predicting 5-11.

Howard

Read my post above.

The only argument against Alex Smith that I am willing to accept is that he has small hands.

Remember that controversy? I’m so glad that his hands have grown.

Are we really nit-picking about the O-coordinator being on the field instead of in the booth? Let me briefly summarize the arguments against the team that people have stated above. I will do my best not to mis-characterize them:

(1) Alex Smith is not the QB of the future. Not in the same class as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or even Jeff Garcia.
Response:
Let’s be real now, we all like Alex Smith better than Rex Grossman. But let’s also be fair. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning play on offenses that have played together for years. Alex Smith is on his 3rd offensive coordinator in 3 years. Also, look at how different the offensive personnel is from 2 years ago. Even last year. Our top rated receiver 2 years ago was Brandon Lloyd. Last year, Antonio Bryant. This year, D. Jax, or VD. It’s different every year – no time for chemistry. Don’t downplay the 3 O-Coordinator in 3 years, or changes in personnel. It’s a wonder that Alex Smith has played so well. And he’s getting better too. No picks this year. Can we all remember how many picks he had in his 1st year?

(2) Mike Nolan is a bad coach.
Response: He’s a defensive coach at heart. Have you seen our defense? Any complaints there? Really, our beef is with the offense right? Are we really mad at the way we’ve built our team with the draft? Probably not. So Nolan pinned as a bad coach. “Bad Coach” is an all-encompassing statement so let’s use our judgment here.

(3)O-line is terrible
Response: Ok, our O-line was our strength last year. In fact, against a potent steeler’s defense last week, our O-line was pretty good! So what changed since then? Alex Smith got injured. Stay with me now. In football, when a new QB gets into the game, coaches must shrink the playbook (you hear this a lot in college football) to make it easier for the new QB to call plays. Well, these plays may be different than the ones that the team practiced earlier in the week. It could be more of a plain offense. Therefore, the O-line may have been as prepared with the new plays. Just my guess. The only other explanation revolves around they sucks and therefore they must always suck. Rebuild the team. I just don’t buy that.

(4) Offensive Coordinator Sucks
Response: Part of it is in my response 3 – the narrowing of the playbook. The other is…maybe Nolan and Holster know that there are certain weaknesses in our team. They watch must more film than I do. Maybe they know the receivers run poor routes so they run the ball with Gore 3 times in a row. Maybe they know that VD doesn’t have chemistry with Alex Smith so they don’t throw to him much in game 1 or 2. Maybe they know that the WR’s aren’t that good so we run end-arounds. We are not the Colts or Bengals. Be realistic in how our offense should play given our limitations this time of the year. We’re young and we’re growing. We’ll get better throughout the season.

Also, there was a mention of Greg Knapp as an example of a good offensive coordinator. 🙂 C’mon now.

In conclusion, the end.

P.S.
Frank Gore has small hands…pass it on.

arnold

why is everyone freaking out? the niners lost their starting qb. No, it isn’t similar to losing peyton manning, but it is still a loss that affects the whole offense.

besides, the niners lost because seattle got “lucky” about the niners losing their qb, right Mike? you claim the niners only win because they got lucky, so the niners only lost because seattle got lucky.

it’s clear the OL is struggling ever since the 1st game. can anyone say Kwame Harris?

“Forget Steve Young! He’s too erratic. We need a cool-headed quarterback who stays in the pocket. The Niners need to start Steve Bono.”

“Fire George Seifert! This just isn’t working. We’ve lost to the Cowboys in two straight NFC Championship games! Bill Walsh would never have let them lose to the Cowboys like that.”

“How can a guy let go of the best safety to ever play the game? We never should have let Ronnie Lott go to the Raiders.”

I don’t know, but I have a feeling things are right on track the way they should be. Only through adversity can true strength be found. We need to go through this right now.

faithful

should have the niners gone for a legitament offense coordinator…it sure looks like it now…hostler has not proven anything all season…u can see how it was preseason with his cupcake calls and its still cupcake calls four weeks into the season…i hear NORV TURNER might be on the chopping blocks…any chance he could come back???

South_bay_dude

This whole rebuilding excuse is getting awfully old, as far as I’m concered. Nolan is underqualified for the task at hand. His specialty is on the defensive side and that’s about it. Choosing Alex Smith as a #1 pick was a big blunder for which the organization and the fans will pay dearly, for years to come. Alex isn’t bad, but not #1 pick material. And, why haven’t we gotten him a good wide receiver to throw to?

Choosing Hostler as the offensive coordinator was yet another big mistake. That guy has no clue either. Everything is predictable and average even at college level.

Let’s cut our losses and get some replacements ASAP.

kevin

please start Michael Robinson at QB you have nothing to lose and this kid will make it happen like Tony Romo did in Dallas everything he does turns to gold open your eyes check youtube clips please consider he can take this team right here to the playoffs this year he is a better all -around QB than Alex Smith the only problem you will have is what to do with Alex Smith when he gets healthy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JB

They should have NEVER taken smith as he wasnt worthy of a 1st pick. Should have traded down and taken Rodgers who played a pro style offense. Smith will never be a quality NFL qb but rather another first round bust. Turner was his only hope to be a good qb.
What a waiste of time and energy. He makes me ill just watchn those happy feet. Cant stay in and slide to lft or right no pocket presence at all. Gee u think all that college ball in shotgun is why…u could see he wasnt that great.

Door Prize

I have a joke:
Antonio has an antonia AS opinion! I forgot that is a FB joke, ho-hoh-ho!

Nes

Wow…sum people still don’t get it…..ALEX AIN’T THE DAMN PROBLEM!!!!!!!! He may not be the Answer YET, but he is the least responable for our offense. O-line can’t protect/block for RB/QB…..WR dropping passes left & right…OC can’t seem to call the right plays. Can’t keep an OC for more than a season.

Nolan put together a great defense…Now to save a season that seems to be inploding, he needs to revamp the offense….well at least THE SUCK THAT IS OUR O-LINE.